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B-CU Students Receive Awards from Statewide Education Organizations

Last week, two students from the Bethune-Cookman University School of Education received prestigious awards from Florida organizations while attending the groups' statewide conferences.

B-CU senior Jazelle Morris received the FAHPRERDS Student of the Year Award at the 2009 Florida Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance, and Sports (FAHPERDS) Conference held in Orlando October 8-10. This award is given each year to one Florida undergraduate student majoring in physical education, recreation, or health who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship as well service to the school, community and profession.

Morris is majoring in physical education with a concentration in recreation. In addition to her academic studies, she is an accomplished dancer who has performed at New York City’s Apollo Theater. She is currently the captain of the B-CU Marching Wildcats’ 14 Karat Gold Dance Team. She also has started her own non-profit organization called Life’s GUD (Growing up Determined) Urban Youth Foundation whose purpose is to help city youth get involved in nontraditional sports such as golf, archery, field hockey, and ultimate frisbee.

“It is an honor to receive this award. I am so thankful to my mom and dad for supporting and encouraging me and allowing me to get the experience that I have had in so many sports. I am also thankful for my professors who are like a true family to me,” commented Morris.

Dr. Maureen Davin, chair of B-CU’s secondary education department, has great praise for her student, noting: “Jazelle is an extremely talented and enthusiastic young lady who is a shining star at B-CU. She always has a smile and a positive attitude, is very encouraging to those around her, and continually and selflessly puts others’ needs before her own. She really deserves this award!”

Pamela Hunter, also a senior, received the 2009 FATE Fanchon Funk Scholar Award at the Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE) conference held in Daytona Beach October 9-10. She was one of four students selected for this award which recognizes students’ potential as outstanding future educators.

Hunter is majoring in elementary education. She is a current member of the B-CU Marching Wildcats and was previously a member of the Orchesis Dance Ensemble. She is also a member of the National Council for Negro Women, the National Scholars Honor Society, and B-CU’s Student Advisory Council. Hunter does extensive volunteer work throughout the community, including tutoring, feeding the hungry, and helping at daycare centers.

“I am honored to receive this award. Thanks to the School of Education at B-CU I have been well-prepared in all areas of becoming a future educator,” said Hunter.

Lawana Postell-Walden, B-CU’s Teacher Education Institute Coordinator, nominated Pamela for this award, saying: “Ms. Hunter is an exemplary student. She takes initiative, demonstrates leadership qualities, and has a passion for education. Ms. Hunter will be an excellent teacher.”

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About Bethune-Cookman University

Founded in 1904 by Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers baccalaureate degrees in 37 majors through six academic schools – Arts & Humanities; Business; Education; Nursing; Science, Engineering and Mathematics; and Social Sciences – and maintains intercollegiate athletic programs and instrumental and choral groups that have achieved national recognition. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of three private historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of more than 3,400.